Just like the IPL brought a sweeping change in the way that Men’s cricket was seen, the Women’s Big Bash League has been a torch bearer of increasing the popularity of Women’s cricket around the World. The current edition is the 10th iteration of the popular league and has enjoyed record-breaking viewership.
As the WBBL season draws to a close with only the final match remaining, anticipation builds as fans and pundits alike speculate on who will emerge victorious. During this electrifying period, sports journalists, former players, cricket blogs, and online platforms like ocbscores analyze stats and past performances, as well as casual fans contributing to the buzzing predictions of the ultimate winner.
2015-16 season (Sydney Thunder)
The inaugural season saw some exciting encounters between franchises and some brilliant individual performances that spurred the fan’s interest in the league. Sydney Thunder was the best team during the league stage and also defeated the Perth Scorchers to make it to the finals. Cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers earned a spot in the final as well by defeating the Hobart Hurricanes. The finals were played at the iconic MCG which saw a close contest between the two teams and ultimately, the Thunder stole the show with a 3-wicket victory. Erin Osborne played a pivotal role, picking up 3 wickets in that match.
2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons (Sydney Sixers)
The 2016-17 season saw the Sydney Sixers shed their disappointment from the loss in the previous year’s finals and saw them finish at the top of the table. They went on to defeat the Perth Scorchers in the finals by a margin of 7 runs. Sarah Aley bowled a brilliant spell, picking up 4 wickets in that match, and also ended as the leading wicket-taker for the season. The Sixers’ supremacy continued in the following season as well, where they again finished at the top of the table. The final was a rematch of the previous edition as it once again pitted the Sixers and the Perth Scorchers against one another. This time, the Sixers won convincingly by 9 wickets thanks to some excellent performances by Sarah Coyte and Alyssa Healy.
2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons (Brisbane Heat)
The 2018-19 edition saw the Sydney Sixers make it to their 4th consecutive final. However, they were undone by Brisbane Heat at the Drummoyne Oval where Brisbane defeated them by 3 wickets in a thrilling encounter. Beth Mooney stamped her authority on the proceedings by scoring 65 runs from just 46 balls. Brisbane Heat went on to win the next season as well by defeating the Adelaide Strikers. It was again Beth Mooney who stole the limelight with her 45-ball 56.
2020-21 season (Sydney Thunder)
The COVID-affected season saw Sydney Thunder reclaim their honor as they lifted the WBBL title for a second time. The tournament, which was entirely played in Sydney, saw some engaging contests and it was ultimately Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars who made it through to the finals. A brilliant bowling performance from Thunder, particularly from Shabnim Ismail and Sammy Jo-Johnson took a heavy toll on the Stars’ batting line-up as they managed to post the lowest-ever total in a WBBL final. Thunder managed to chase it down without breaking much sweat.
2021-22 season (Perth Scorchers)
This season saw a few changes in the format as the conventional semi-finals were done away with and saw the introduction of Eliminator and Challenger matches. The Perth Scorchers played excellent cricket throughout the season and saw them get a direct entry to the finals. They faced the Adelaide Strikers at the Perth Stadium and lifted their maiden title thanks to an all-round performance from Marizanne Kapp, Heather Graham, and Sophie Devine.
2022-23 and 23-24 seasons (Adelaide Strikers)
The 2022-23 season saw the rise of the Adelaide Strikers’ supremacy in the WBBL as they went on to lift the title for 2 consecutive editions. Both finals saw them face different teams. They defeated Sydney Sixers in the 22-23 season and Brisbane Heat in the most recent edition. The success of the Strikers was powered by some brilliant performances from Tahlia McGrath, Katie Mack, Amanda-Jade Wellington, and Megan Schutt.
2024-25 season (TBD)
We have reached the business end of the current season and have seen a few surprising results already. Two of the most successful teams, Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers, have already been eliminated, while Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes, who have never made it to the finals, have qualified for the playoffs along with Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat. The Renegades have topped the table and will play any one of the other 3 teams in the Finals on Sunday.
When and where is the women's Big Bash League 2024?▼
The Women's Big Bash League, 2024 will be played at the Drummoyne Oval, Sydney, on November 27, 2024
Will Indian players play in WBBL?▼
Yes, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues are among the six Indian cricketers who will be in action at the Women's Big Bash League 2024-25, which starts from Sunday.
When did the Big Bash League start?▼
The Big Bash League (BBL) is an Australian men's professional club Twenty20 cricket league, which was established in 2011 by Cricket Australia.
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